This 12 months was a bizarre one. 2025 marks 15 years of me writing about bikes, and for the primary time in that a few years, my non-bike adventures have no less than equalled my on-bike adventures. There are a selection of causes for that, nevertheless it boils all the way down to time, household, overtraining, and possibly a little bit of boredom.
Over the offseason between ’24/’25, I used to be goaded into taking over operating, and ended up doing my first-ever organized operating occasion: the Flying Pig half-marathon. If I’m sincere, I discover operating outdoors within the winter extra gratifying than driving (except fats biking if there’s correct snow). It’s simpler to decorate, requires much less specialised gear, and requires much less time to really feel such as you bought an honest exercise. Coaching for the half was additionally a terrific motivator all through the winter, however as quickly as Spring hit, I couldn’t wait to get again on a motorbike.
My Editor’s Selection listing this 12 months is like that first hit of spring fever. It’s gear that makes me excited to get out and experience. Gear that jogs my memory of why I do that within the first place.
Through the years, I’ve spent plenty of time driving in digital worlds on Zwift. This 12 months was the primary time I used to be capable of attend a Zwift occasion in actual life – within the biking mecca of Mallorca, Spain, of all locations. Not solely was the driving unbelievable, nevertheless it was a enjoyable occasion that introduced collectively cyclists of all kinds. It’s simple to effortlessly go by way of the throngs of avatars on Zwift, however occasions like Zwift Neighborhood Dwell remind you that they’re actual folks doing the identical factor as you throughout the globe.
Editor’s Selection Bike Journey Daytrip: Journey to MLB Sport
This 12 months, the Cincinnati Reds had been truly enjoyable to observe. So, my buddies and I hatched the concept to experience all the way down to the stadium to catch the final residence sport of the season. Storms had been threatening, however everybody had already known as off work. We had been going. We bought drenched on the best way down. It completely poured on the best way again. The sport was delayed. However the Reds received, we had a 50+ mile day, and we had one hell of a superb time. This one will certainly should grow to be an annual custom.
Bikes
Editor’s Selection Mountain Bike: Ibis Ripmo V3
This one is an extension of my EC decide for 2024. The Ibis Ripley V5 and the Ripmo V3 share the identical body, except the shock, clevis, and eyelet {hardware}. That implies that technically, you’ll be able to swap backwards and forwards with the precise elements. Traditionally, bikes that might be two issues in a single normally resulted in some compromise(s) to make all of it work.
That was my concern with the Ripley/Ripmo, however I’m very happy to seek out that Ibis discovered make each into wonderful bikes. This was the bike that Shimano constructed up for me with the brand new XTR Di2 group, and it was a blast on the paths of Tucson. I positively choose the Ripmo V3 to the earlier model, and the inner storage is rather well carried out.
The one catch for me is that the Ripley V5 is so succesful that it makes the Ripmo overkill on most of my trails again residence. However that’s one of many issues that pulls me to this bike – maintain the Ripmo fork, shock, clevis & {hardware} helpful, and you’ve got a Ripmo able to go for large journeys out West whereas protecting the shorter journey Ripley prepared for every day missions again residence.
Editor’s Selection Gravel Bike: Ari Shafer Gen 3
This was a late addition to the combination, nevertheless it was clear immediately that the Ari Shafer is one thing particular. I’ve been on plenty of totally different gravel bikes with tires of all sizes, however the Shafer 3.0 manages to make 55mm tires really feel method quicker than they need to.
Providing a ridiculous quantity of tire clearance (700c x 58mm or 29 x 2.25″), Ari nonetheless managed to drop round 200g from the earlier Shafer. I’ll should admit that the skinny aspect profile of the fork seems a bit scary at first, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel overly flexy whereas driving it. General, it has a really clean experience high quality with better-than-average bump absorbing talents whereas nonetheless managing to really feel lightning quick whenever you stomp on the pedals.
I’ll say that the massive tires will make you crave a dropper submit, so contemplate that when speccing your construct from Ari.
Editor’s Selection Gravel Bike: Kona Libre CR
The place the Ari Shafer is the new-school fats tire gravel bike, the Kona LIbre CR is a little more conventional with simply 700c x 45mm tire clearance. It wasn’t that way back when 45mm tire clearance was fairly beneficiant for a gravel bike, and I nonetheless suppose the scale is right for a big proportion of riders.
I see the Libre CR as a greater possibility for somebody on the lookout for a motorbike that can be on the highway as a lot as it is going to be on gravel. It’s additionally a greater bike so as to add a rack to hold locks and kit to a baseball sport. I swapped out the tires at one level for a pair of 40mm slicks, and this factor was a pleasure to place lengthy highway miles on. The geometry and sizing are higher on this than the earlier mannequin, and it has a fairly strong spec. Sadly, the worth has gone up about $800 since we first posted about it, however that’s life within the post-tariff bike world.
Editor’s Selection Commuter: Tern BYB
I’ve all the time wished to journey with a motorbike to Eurobike, however I by no means wished to cope with the trouble of packing/flying/constructing/repacking a full-size bike. The Tern BYB takes virtually all the trouble out of the equation and rewards you with a quick, environment friendly bike that simply suits into its personal suitcase. Thus far, it’s one of many best methods I’ve discovered to journey with a motorbike and presents one of the best performance-to-size ratio.
Editor’s Selection Child’s Bike: Biky Bikes Air 20
I used to be not conversant in the Biky model after they first reached out, however they did have one thing I wished. Nicely, one thing I wished for my daughter – a light-weight, single-speed, 20″ bicycle known as the Biky Air 20. Many of the premium bike manufacturers both supply heavier 20″ bikes meant for coaching wheels, or skip the one pace and go straight to gears. Many children (my daughter included) are already ripping round on two wheels by the point they’re on a 20″ due to stability bike life, but the simplicity and sturdiness of a single pace is a phenomenal factor for a motorbike that can be continually crashed or dropped on the bottom.
Biky delivered a 20″ single pace that’s foolish mild at simply 14.18lbs with pedals, it has a totally protected drivetrain, and it’s competitively priced (vs. say, a Woom 4).
Drivetrains
Editor’s Selection MTB Drivetrain: Shimano XTR M9200 Di2
Most likely no shock right here. Shimano lastly launched their wi-fi MTB drivetrain, and their top-tier XTR led the Cost. The brand new XT Di2 can be nice, however the nicer shifter really feel and brake lever really feel of the XTR group enable it to stroll away with the title. Sure, Shimano was late to the get together (once more). However the reward is a bunch with the quickest wi-fi shifting, and finest ergonomic changes on the shifter.
Editor’s Selection Street/Gravel Drivetrain: SRAM Power & Rival AXS 12/ XPLR 13
For me, this one is a shock. I had not but had an opportunity to take a look at the brand new SRAM Power & Rival teams since they had been launched in June. Then the Ari Shafer confirmed up, and I used to be blown away largely by the shifter and brake really feel. Accessible in each 1×13 XPLR teams, and a pair of×12 highway teams, I’ve spent probably the most time on the XPLR group on the Shafer. However I’m within the strategy of increase a 2×12 group on my Why PR highway bike, and might’t wait to place the miles in.
Editor’s Selection Wheels: Trade 9 SOLiX Aero Street
Trade 9’s newest SOLiX Aero highway wheels verify plenty of bins. They provide a number of aero profiles with a sturdy layup, roll on high-engagement SOLiX hubs that aren’t tremendous loud, they’re optimized for contemporary highway tires at 28-30mm, they usually use hooked rims. Principally, my supreme highway bike wheel, and that’s what they’ve confirmed to be.
Electronics
Editor’s Selection Electronics: Lezyne Radar React System
Radar tail lights are a type of know-how gadgets which have slowly grow to be a part of my every day highway bike package. No, it’s not a panacea for all on-road risks, however I do really feel higher about what’s developing behind me. Notably, I like that radar tail lights inform me simply what number of automobiles are behind me, and if it’s an extra-long automobile like a truck towing a trailer.
Lezyne’s new Radar React System takes the everyday radar system a step additional and permits you to use it with no GPS biking laptop if desired. You may nonetheless use it with any suitable laptop, and it’ll show oncoming automobiles (together with different customizable options), however for those who don’t have a pc, you need to use it as simply the sunshine/radar. When used as a entrance/rear combo, the entrance mild will flip purple when automobiles are approaching and can play a warning tone. I nonetheless choose to make use of it with a pc, however no different radar system presents the usability choices that Lezyne does.
Honorable Point out Electronics: Coros Nomad/Apex Sensible Watch
I’ve been testing a variety of Coros merchandise not too long ago, and whereas many have lacked options initially, close to fixed firmware updates have shortly improved virtually each machine. The good watches (any good watches) are fascinating as a result of they wouldn’t be my first alternative for biking use, but at this level, I couldn’t see myself not utilizing one each day to trace the whole lot from operating to mountaineering.
I not too long ago had an opportunity to check out the Coros Nomad for onshore and offshore fishing, and the usefulness of the watch to trace my place, log totally different factors of curiosity, and maintain monitor of the tide schedule and wind was good. I nonetheless want the tide display was seen on the bike experience actions, however perhaps that can be one thing obtainable as an replace. The Apex 4, alternatively, is a greater look ahead to every day use and permits you to reply telephone calls in your watch.
Greater than something, I respect the convenience of use and the ludicrous battery life from the Apex 4 which has grow to be a calling card for Coros. There are higher watches on the market for the data-obsessed, however for many who need one thing to supply an affordable quantity of information with out requiring a thick handbook to determine it out, the Coros watches are reasonably priced choices.
Sneakers & Pedals
I’ve been a fan of assorted Shimano bike footwear for 12 months, and whereas the RX8 was good, it nonetheless had room for enchancment. The RX910 S-Phyre Gravel Sneakers ship on that enchancment with a greater match, extra secure strolling platform, and a brand new Pontoon Cleat System that delivers true road-like efficiency whereas protecting it walkable (and pedals double-sided). To not point out that the pontoon space is replaceable, so an important space in your shoe for pedal/shoe contact might be swapped out when issues begin to get sloppy. Good.
Editor’s Selection Pedals: Wolf Tooth Elements CTRL/ALT Pedals
With so a few years to excellent the SPD, it’s uncommon that some other model’s “SPD suitable” pedals are literally higher than the Shimano originals. However after all, Wolf Tooth Elements is not any stranger to creating issues higher. And so they did simply that with their new clipless pedal vary. I’ve been driving the CTRL path & ALT XC/Gravel pedals, and the clip-in/clip-out is flawless. I additionally love you can simply change the q-factor of the pedals by swapping the place of inner spacers. Add the truth that they provide probably the most contact space, and are available Ultraviolet purple, and you’ve got my favourite clip in pedals of the 12 months.
It’s wild how shortly mini inflators took over. However that’s for good motive – the tiny units take all the trouble out of flat tires and even simply topping off your tire pressures. I’ve spent plenty of time with the Trek Air Rush, and it’s actually worthy of an EC award. It’s comparatively small, works for Presta or Schrader, each with or with out an extension hose, and it has a shade display that makes it simple to set and dial within the excellent pressures. Battery life is first rate, permitting for as much as 7 full inflation from flat, relying on the tire measurement, and it’s priced proper at $100.
Clothes
Editor’s Selection Clothes: Velocio Luxe Merino Jersey
Traditionally, a few of Velocio’s clothes hasn’t labored for me fit-wise, whereas different items have been nice. The brand new Velocio Luxe Merino Wool Jersey is squarely within the latter class. I believe that is largely as a result of merino cloth being extra forgiving, which doesn’t make the shoulders and chest really feel so cramped however retains the waist from bagging out on the similar time. The jersey presents all the advantages of merino, plus a merino mesh ventilated again panel for even higher breathability.
Editor’s Selection Clothes: Sensible Wool Each Day Get together Shirt
This might be bike, it might be non-bike, however when Sensible Wool despatched me this shirt I wasn’t fairly positive what to do with it. It’s not precisely a motorbike jersey, nevertheless it’s not precisely a costume shirt both. Earlier than I knew it, I used to be carrying it on informal pedal adventures, seaside missions, journeys to the bar, you title it. It’s what it says – a celebration shirt, however one that’s extraordinarily breathable and excellent for decent, sticky climate.
Non-Bike
Editor’s Selection Non-Bike: Nocs Professional Situation Binoculars
Apparently, I’m a birder now. A part of that growth has meant testing practically the total vary of Nocs Provisions to determine what’s one of the best optic for carrying on bike rides. Whereas the Area Tube monocular was my alternative for finest on-bike birding, the Nocs Professional Situation binoculars take the EC award for simply being so rattling good to make use of. From the visible readability and brightness to the smoothness of the main focus wheel, these are properly well worth the worth (I purchased them myself from REI). I’m calling them non-bike since these are the most important, heaviest binoculars that Nocs presents, however I wouldn’t hesitate to place these in a giant bike bag for those who had been driving out to a birding vacation spot.
Editor’s Selection Non-Bike: 24h Rock Climbing Gyms
Earlier this 12 months, Arc’teryx bought me again on a climbing wall for the primary time since I had my bike shoulder/nerve harm. It’s taken years to really feel like I’ve the energy once more in my shoulder and left arm to climb, nevertheless it feels so good to be climbing.
We’ve got a terrific climbing health club known as Mosaic that provides 24h bouldering entry, so it’s the right winter exercise to remain lively and prepare muscular tissues you don’t usually use on a motorbike. Plus, it’s very addictive. We’re fairly fortunate to have no less than 5 totally different climbing gyms shut by, however just one presents hours which might be conducive to these with busy schedules and who usually can’t get out till after the children are in mattress.
Editor’s Selection Music: WNCW 88.7
I wished to observe Jordan’s lead right here and dive into the music world, however I shortly realized that deciding on an album of the 12 months for me is almost inconceivable. For those who ask Apple, my high artists of the 12 months embody Charley Crocket, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Grateful Useless, Jimmy Buffett, Khruangbin, Jack Johnson, Ocean Alley, LA LOM, Billy Strings, Jon Batiste, Herbie Mann, Debussy, Lefover Salmon, RATM, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. However the music I take heed to is usually way more eclectic than that.
About the one place I can discover a mixture of music that fits most of my tastes is WNCW out of Spindale, North Carolina. From jam band to jazz to blues to bluegrass to people & Americana to digital to reggae to Celtic, there are a selection of weekly radio reveals on WNCW that I plan my schedule round.
Driving Into 2026
With 2025 quickly coming to a detailed, I hope everybody is ready to take a while to mirror on a 12 months (hopefully) filled with adventures. Whereas this 12 months was a little bit of a reset for me, it’s allowed me to essentially give attention to what sort of driving and occasions carry me probably the most pleasure. On the finish of the day, that’s what it’s all about, proper?
As all the time, thanks to all of our readers and the businesses which have supported us alongside the best way. 2025 has been a tough 12 months for lots of the bike business, and we’re hopeful that the 12 months forward is healthier for all – and packed full of recent adventures.
Cheers,
Zach
Many extra nice merchandise have handed by way of our fingers this 12 months, however this assortment highlights one of the best I’ve seen or ridden. Full disclosure: Every of those merchandise has been chosen purely on their efficiency and/or technological deserves for the explanations described above. Certainly not had been any of our alternatives paid for by their producers. Nor was any desire or favor given to advertisers or manufacturers who invite us on journeys. Our alternatives are restricted to merchandise that we’ve truly frolicked driving/testing in particular person. So, a model’s willingness to ask Bikerumor to hitch a launch occasion, or to supply product samples, does make it extra possible that we’ll have thought-about their merchandise just because we’ve had an opportunity to attempt them firsthand.
